Chapter 157: Birthday Gift

Words : 1661 Updated : Sep 29th, 2025

Cangyun City, Wang Residence. The Wang Family’s old ancestor, Wang Jinchuan, strode into the main hall dressed in a crane-embroidered robe trimmed with gold, moving with the imposing gait of a dragon or tiger. Though only eight hundred years old, due to an old illness, his hair had long since turned white and his face was aged, giving him the appearance of someone at the end of their years. The guests present all respectfully paid their greetings upon seeing the Wang Family’s ancestor appear. “We pay our respects to Patriarch Wang.” Wang Jinchuan sat in the seat of honor and looked at the assembled guests, smiling as he said, “Thank you, honored guests, for gracing my humble birthday banquet. Your presence brings glory to the Wang family of Cangyun.” Upon hearing this, the guests in the hall responded with their own words of praise. “Ancestor Wang, you’re too modest. You are the number one figure in Cangyun. It’s our honor to attend your birthday banquet.” “That’s right. Ancestor Wang is one of the foremost experts in the Luo River region. It’s a blessing to be able to witness your presence in person.” “...” As the guests spoke, the Wang family’s chief steward began to announce the gifts. “The Zhao family of Jingshan presents the supreme treasure, the Mountain-Guarding Ruler, to wish Patriarch Wang longevity as eternal as the southern mountains, and blessings as boundless as the eastern sea.” “The Wei family of Beiyuan presents the supreme treasure, the Jade Ruyi, wishing Ancestor Wang boundless years.” “...” “The noble families of Luo River present a low-grade spiritual artifact, the Five Elements Treasure Tree, wishing Ancestor Wang many happy returns and endless prosperity.” As this announcement rang out, the entire hall fell silent. Everyone’s gaze turned toward Sima Yin. No one had expected Sima Yin to present such a precious gift. Spiritual artifacts were not rare among semi-saint families. But for a family like the Wang family—without even a marquis among them—such a gift was a priceless treasure. It was likely that the entire Wang family, from top to bottom, did not possess more than ten spiritual artifacts. Even Wang Jinchuan himself was momentarily stunned. He hadn’t expected Sima Yin to be so generous this time. Could it be that the Sima family wanted something from the Wang family? He quickly stood up and bowed. “Marquis, you are too generous. This humble old man can hardly accept such a lavish gift.” Sima Yin smiled and replied, “Brother Wang, you’re being too polite. Our two families are both great powers in Luo River. This little token is hardly worthy of mention.” “Then I shall respectfully accept. If the marquis ever has need of this old man in the future, please just give the word.” Wang Jinchuan had managed to keep the declining Wang family in the ranks of second-tier noble families within the Luo River region not only because of his strength, but also his skillful diplomacy. The surrounding guests, seeing how much importance Sima Yin placed on the Wang family, began to weigh their own attitudes. It seemed that in the future, the Wang family was not to be easily offended. After the guests had finished presenting their gifts, it was time for the descendants of the Wang family to offer theirs in turn—an opportunity to display the talents of the family’s younger generation. The head of the family, Wang Hanyan, was the first to step forward, holding a box in both hands as he approached and slowly opened it. Instantly, a rich medicinal fragrance filled the entire hall. All eyes turned toward the box, only to see inside a blood ginseng three feet long, about as thick as an adult’s arm. “This... This is thousand-year blood ginseng, blood ginseng that has developed spiritual intelligence!” “Judging by its appearance and aroma, it’s indeed a millennia-old spiritual herb.” “I didn’t expect the Wang family to come up with something like this.” “...” The family head respectfully said, “Grandfather, this is a nearly thousand-year-old blood ginseng. I wish you boundless longevity.” “Good, very good.” Looking at this nearly thousand-year-old blood ginseng, Wang Jinchuan was filled with comfort. This grandson of his could be considered the tallest among the short ones, selected as the family head by default. Even after more than five hundred years, it was only with the Wang family’s resources and spiritual herbs that he managed to become a He Dao cultivator. If not for this boy having a good son, he would not have qualified to be the Wang family’s head. However, now with this blood ginseng, although it can’t cure his illness, it can stabilize his cultivation for another five hundred years. By then, the Wang family will hopefully have someone reach Nirvana Realm to take over as the family’s guardian. After the family head finished presenting his gift, the other descendants took their turns. Of course, only the Wang family’s “geniuses” and direct bloodline descendants were qualified to come forward with gifts. Collateral relatives had no right to show themselves before the assembled guests. Soon it was the turn of the younger generation of the Wang family. Wang Kaixuan glanced at the gifts presented by the few older brothers ahead of him, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly, a trace of disdain appearing in his eyes. But the pain on his face made him grit his teeth and suck in a sharp breath. After the brothers ahead had finished, Wang Kaixuan, with half his face swollen and red, carried a painting up to the front. “Ancestor, I know you loved the works of the painting master Gu Kang when you were young, so I specially found one of his early paintings.” As he finished, Wang Kaixuan unrolled the painting. The guests saw a landscape painting, vivid and lifelike, with a touch of spiritual charm. “There’s real meaning in this painting. It’s indeed the work of Master Gu Kang. But the brushwork is still a bit immature—if you say it’s from his younger days, that wouldn’t be wrong.” “Friend, there’s no way this painting is fake. Look at that seal. When Master Gu was young, he studied under a semi-saint of literature at Wendao Academy, and this seal was bestowed by the semi-saint himself. The Dao aura in it cannot be forged.” “You really are observant, my friend.” Listening to the guests, Wang Kaixuan subconsciously raised his head and puffed out his chest like a proud rooster. But with his swollen face, he only looked all the more ridiculous to those present. The Wang Family’s ancestor looked at the painting, stroking his beard. “Not bad, not bad, Kaixuan, you’ve put thought into this. But what’s happened to your face?” Hearing this, Wang Kaixuan’s expression turned nervous. “An... Ancestor, earlier I made brother-in-law Baole unhappy, and in a moment of anger he slapped me.” As soon as these words fell, all the guests who didn’t know the situation were shocked. How bold that Wang family son-in-law must be, to hit a Wang family member on such a festive day. Wasn’t that the same as slapping the ancestor’s face? In the crowd, Wang Chongyi’s face turned ashen. He had thought that this ancestor’s birthday feast would go off without a hitch, and that he would earn the ancestor’s praise. Who would have thought that Wang Baole, that brat, would actually start a fight at the birthday banquet? Wasn’t this making him lose face? He began scanning the crowd for Wang Baole. As soon as he found him, he was determined to teach that boy a lesson. Sima Yin’s eyes flashed coldly as he looked at Wang Kaixuan: Why do you always have to do things that ruin the mood? Can’t you let your ancestor enjoy himself for a while? The Wang family ancestor was a shrewd man. Upon hearing this, he didn’t react immediately. He simply said, “I understand. You may step down now.” “Yes, Ancestor.” After stepping down, Wang Kaixuan immediately walked toward Wang Baole. Many of the guests’ eyes followed him. He made his way through the crowd to Wang Baole and the others, deliberately raising his voice: “Brother-in-law Baole, you’ve already entered Wendao Academy. Surely you haven’t forgotten to prepare a gift for Ancestor?” Hearing this, those nearby all turned their attention over. In an instant, all sorts of strange looks fell on Wang Baole. Even the family head and Wang Chongyi glared at Wang Baole amid the crowd. Wang Baole ignored all these looks and smiled. “Of course I’ve prepared a gift for Ancestor. And it’s a heartfelt one, unlike certain people, who bring broken odds and ends just to curry favor.” “You—!” Wang Kaixuan’s face changed instantly. He shouted, “Well, everyone here should open their eyes and see what kind of treasure this Wang family son-in-law has prepared for the ancestor today.” Sitting in the main hall, the Wang family’s ancestor frowned slightly. He had thought Kaixuan was quite considerate, but now he seemed no better than any other spoiled child. The Wang family’s younger generation was truly getting worse with each generation. As for Wang Baole, Wang Jinchuan had little expectation—this boy had only been at Wendao Academy for a few years. What could he possibly have accomplished? It seemed the Wang family was about to become the butt of jokes. Wang Baole, unfazed by all the odd looks, strode straight into the hall and took out a box from his storage ring. He gently opened the box. A burst of spiritual light surged out, so bright that everyone in the hall had to squint their eyes... ==================================================================================== Get access to 20 chapters in advance and enjoy 2 daily updates by supporting the series. Available on Patreon: /Alex_Cruise or Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/anish_44

Chapter 157: Birthday Gift

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